Western Caribbean Cruise

Greg's sister-in-law organized a cruise to the Western Caribbean: Grand Cayman, Roatan (Honduras), Belize, and Cozumel (Mexico). It was my first group vacation, and it was really fun. We sailed on the Carnival Valor. Greg and I arrived a day early to visit my friend Abbey in Ft. Lauderdale. Abbey and I met when we were working on cruise ships and I haven't seen her in about five years. Southern Florida was experiencing record lows and it was in the 30s, much to Abbey's shock.I'm still having problems moving pictures around with my blogging tool, so these pictures are all out of sequence. The picture above is from the first day of the cruise in Miami, and the picture below is the last day of the cruise, on our sea day.

Here's most of the gang at Fat Tuesday's bar in Cozumel. On the trip were Greg's brother and sister-in-law (Shaney), Shaney's two brothers, Shaney's three girlfriends, a friend of Greg's, Greg and me.Cozumel
Greg and his brother Mark climbed the "ice burg". I climbed it, too, and it was really hard. It seems much higher up when you're up there.
On a mountain bike tour in Belize, Greg ate termites from a tree.
Roatan, Honduras

Wild parrots
Cactus in conchs, cool.

Bacab Eco Park in Belize


The monkey held on to our hair for support. He didn't pull though; he was a good monkey.


Rorke and Logan crossing the bridge




A turtle farm in Grand Cayman


We didn't feel any effects from the earthquake in Haiti. The cruise line set up a way for passengers to donate to the Red Cross through them, which I thought was really nice. I hope you're each donating what you can. Here's one way you can donate: http://clintonbushhaitifund.org/
Grand Cayman

Pics from my Dad

The Children's Pool in La Jolla

Holidays at Home

I had an American Airlines flight on December 23 to San Diego. When I got to the airport, I was told that my flight was canceled due to bad weather in Chicago, where I was due to lay over. I had been put on a flight for the following morning, Christmas Eve. There were no available flights that day, even with any of American's partners. My only chance was with Jet Blue - not a partner, but I was welcome to go to their ticket counter and see about getting on their 6pm flight. Jet Blue to the rescue! With a manager's special help (the flight was sort of sold out), I was able to book the tickets, and even purchasing them day-of, it was cheaper than American had been. Jet Blue doesn't charge for your first checked bag, and my flights, there and back, were nonstop. Plus, the Jet Blue people were much friendlier. I'm a new Jet Blue fan! I got a refund on my previous tickets, and never looked back. I did, however, have to spend most of the day in the airport, so I had a nice long lunch at Legal Seafoods and a pedicure. See the snow on the runway?

After such a long travel day, I was glad to get home.

Check out the line at Honey Baked Hams on Christmas Eve!

Sunset in my parents' backyard

Mr. Stripey Pants is a good sleeper.

Sunshine's dad Robert played the bagpipes on New Year's Day.

My dad got the flu, but we were able to go out to La Jolla Cove when he was on the mend. Unfortunately, my stepmom got the flu next, and is still sick - feel better soon Mom!

It snowed in Boston while I was away.

Let it Snow!

We were expecting a huge blizzard last night. What we got was later and less than expected, but the city still woke up to a winter wonderland.

These two pigeons reminded me of Statler and Waldorf from The Muppet Show. I could just imagine them saying curmudgeonly things about being snowed on and blown around.


The water in the middle of the Muddy River hasn't frozen over yet.
For those of you in San Diego for which the sport is a little foreign, the Celtics is Boston's basketball team. The wind was really whipping the snow around. (That's not flocking, my friends.)
I got to wear one of my Sunshine hats and scarves today.
Can you see how the wind blew the snow into peaks?
I made peppermint bark for our company holiday party.
The Massachusetts State House is across from Boston Common (Est. 1634).
I like trivia, but I don't think I would be very good at Men's Room Trivia.
Greg ran the Jingle Bell run last weekend. Along with several other people. And several reindeer.

Changes

It snowed! It was beautiful and fluffy. Greg and I had dinner at the Italian restaurant across the street and I faced the windows. (That's the hat I knitted.)After growing it out for a year, Greg was ready to cut his hair. (Watch the neck.) See the neck now?
Shorter than I would have liked, but the curls will grow back.
After snowing Saturday night, the temperatures stayed in the 30s, so the snow stuck around.
It snowed again yesterday, Wednesday. You can't see it here, but it was snowing on those poor, puffed up pigeons. I was about to get in the shower when I saw it was snowing. So instead, I raised the blinds all the way up and hopped back into bed to watch the big fluffy snowflakes fall. It seems like winter suddenly arrived this week. Just last week, it was in the 60s, and it hasn't even gotten into the 40s this week. I think winter is here to stay.
Winter is here to stay, that is, until December 23. Then I'm flying back to San Diego, where it will be much warmer. It sure is great being from a temperate vacation destination. Not to mention, I can't wait to see my family and friends.

The End of November

I took two pictures of the Prudential Tower, or the Pru, tonight on the full moon.My camera couldn't capture everything my eyes could, but it sure was gorgeous.

I spent Thanksgiving weekend with Greg's family.

On Thanksgiving morning, Greg, his sister-in-law Shaney, and I ran the Manchester Road Race. The race is 4.748 miles and is so much fun. Most of the race is along residential streets. Many runners are in costume and the roads are lined with local spectators.Billy is helping me knit a scarf for my friend Britt. Billy also helped me measure it. Britt was hoping for a scarf at least six feet long that he could wrap around his neck twice to combat the harsh Boston winters.I think the scarf is long enough. It's been unseasonably warm lately, but that will soon change. Tomorrow's expected high is 61 degrees, but it will dip down to the low 40s with the possibility of snow showers for the weekend.